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16 Rules to Make Your Email Rock

Email is a lot like the fax machine. Antiquated. Totally annoying. Ugly. Taking up space. But ultimately indispensable—even in the age of Twitter.

Email remains a potent and powerful marketing weapon in spite of the daily deluge of spam emails in our inboxes.

The beauty of email marketing? You can test like crazy so you find that all-important sweet spot where you maximize conversion. And sending email is inexpensive when compared to most other forms of marketing.

Here’s a confession. Several years ago, because I especially enjoy writing copy for long-form sales pages, I viewed writing marketing emails as a chore. And I would release a mild “hooray” when I finished a series of autoresponders or other forms of email.

But then I remembered that emails are simply another form of direct response copywriting—and must be treated seriously. So in today’s blog, I give you 16 copywriting guidelines to maximize your email response.

16 Copywriting Rules for Better Emails

ONE. Pay close attention to subject lines.

Your subject line is exactly like the copy on a piece of direct mail. Serious direct mail copywriters pay extremely close attention to the copy on the envelope—and they test this copy.

If you really want to know what works, then make sure you find a copy of Herschell Gordon Lewis’s superb book about envelope copy, Open Me Now.

The subject line, like the copy on an envelope, must persuade the reader to open the email.

I like to mix up standard direct response headlines with some “off the wall” subject lines that arouse curiosity. But be careful with the latter because your subscribers might think you’re spamming them and will quickly unsubscribe.

TWO. Be entertaining and valuable.

While there’s definitely a place in the world for emails directly advertising huge offers and discounts, I rarely receive emails that even try to provide amusing and/or valuable content.

One of my clients is a restaurant and bar with a strong, loyal following. It’s very much a local’s spot that’s in many ways more like a club. And it’s a fun spot. So the emails I send to the list are brief but usually take a somewhat bizarre take on current events. The open rates are north of 30%.

The copy in the email is valuable—if you’re into direct response marketing.

THREE. Remind people why you’re there.

In the valuable space right above the fold, Bob Bly reminds his subscribers why they’re receiving the email. “You’re receiving this email because…”

You can also remind people—right up front—that they can opt out at any time. This tells your reader, I’m not spamming you.

FOUR. Test your format.

Some emails I receive are super-short and simply want me to click through to a landing page. Some emails are purely informational. Some clients like long-form emails with tons of copy. Testing will let you know which format works most successfully.

Now let’s take a look at an email from The Motley Fool, which provides information about investing.

You’re seeing just a fraction of the email, which provides over 1,700 words of copy. However, more recent emails from The Motley Fool are much, much shorter—this shows they’re using their testing data.

FIVE. Keep your content focused.

You know exactly why your clients and customers signed up for your email database. Keep providing information based on what your readers really want to read.

SIX. Try different media.

Some emails are text only. One company in the golf space provides a daily golf instructional video. One company provides an MP3. Some use lots of photos.

Test to see which media complements and augments your copy—and improves conversion.

TEN. Use subheads, captions, and headlines.

Many, if not most, of the emails I receive often forget the basics of compelling copy. One of these fundamentals is to include clear subheads, captions, and headlines—to encourage me to read the body copy.

I routinely see emails that are just big blobs of dense copy. I’m deleting that type of email immediately.

ELEVEN. Remember the key motivators.

TWELVE. Make a bold offer.

Yes, I can see through the intentions of the spammer from Ghana who offers me $ 19 million if I will send $ 500 to the Ministry of the Interior in Accra. But I also see emails with tepid offers and deals.

Excite and even shock me with a truly special and creative offer. And 90% off everything is not creative—that’s crazy and not believable. One company I like wanted to harvest Amazon reviews. So they gave me 31% off my next order if I wrote a review.

THIRTEEN. Include many ways to respond.

One extremely successful client insists on a link above the fold. Their template also includes several different ways to click to the landing page—with clear instructions like: CLICK HERE NOW.

FOURTEEN. Write clearly, elegantly, and simply.

There’s no reason to write long and complicated sentences in email copy. Think 8th grade reading level and you will likely boost conversion.

FIFTEEN. Swipe away.

Take a close look at the emails that keep you reading and persuade you to click through to a link. Study these emails closely, then emulate them. Do not plagiarize, but you can use the same general themes and approaches.

SIXTEEN. Remember the golden rule of powerful copy…

Focus on the customer/client and their needs and desires.

Aim for quality direct response

If you’re like me, your primary email has ended up on various dodgy email lists. I receive emails from people selling everything from “prescription” medications to a guaranteed cure for acne… though I have no need for any of these products (I promise) and I never opted in for their lists.

So email has a terrible reputation. That’s just one reason it’s so vital to pay close attention to the quality of the copy in your emails.

But the main reason? Use direct response copywriting techniques in your emails, test like crazy, and you can significantly increase conversion and revenue.